Method and apparatus for supporting a permanent cable splice during cable installation

ABSTRACT

A device is provided for supporting a permanent cable splice during installation of one or more connected electrical transmission cables. The device includes one or more liners adapted to be affixable over at least portion of the permanent cable splice including the ends of the splice and one or more sleeves mountable over at least a portion of each of the one or more liners. A method is further provided for installing electrical transmission cable including connecting the second end of a first cable to the first end of a second cable using a permanent splice, affixing one or more liners over at least a portion including the ends of the permanent cable splice, assembling one or more sleeves over at least a portion of each of the one or more liners, pulling the first cable, permanent splice and second cable over one or more sheaves along the installation travel path.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for connectinglengths of electrical transmission cable and installing connectedlengths of cables on cable supports; and in particular to a method andapparatus for supporting and protecting a permanent cable splice at itsjunction with the exposed ends of the spliced cables held within thesplice during installation of the cables.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the installation or stringing of electrical transmission cables,lengths of cable, commonly provided on a reel, are pulled under tensioninto position over one or more cable supports, or sheaves. While it isdesirable to maximize the length of cable to be installed, a number oflimitations dictate the practical reel length of cable that can be used.Such limitations include terrain, angles at which the cable is pulledat, pulling capacity of the pulling equipment, both in terms of lengthand tension and capacity of the cable reels provided for the project.

Electrical transmission cables can include high voltage power lineconductor, overhead static wire, and optical ground wire (OPGW). Cableproperties, including the maximum bend angle and tension that a cablecan handle, will also limit a maximum reel length of cable that may bedeployed.

Commonly, multiple reel lengths of cable are connected together to makeup the total length needed for installation. A splice is typically usedto connect a second end of a first cable to a first end of a secondcable. However, most permanent splices are not rated for the tension andflexibility required to pull the length of cable through the feed reeland over the sheaves and into a permanent, finished position. In suchcases, temporary splices are conventionally used for the installation.Once the temporary splices are installed between the reel lengths ofcable, the spliced cable is pulled into position. After pulling thecable into position, crews must remove the temporary splices and installpermanent splices in their place.

A need therefore exists for a method and apparatus for protecting andsupporting a permanent cable splice during cable installation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may be characterized in its various aspects as adevice, a system and a method of using the device and system.

The device is for protecting a permanent cable splice and the ends of apair of electrical transmission cables held in the splice, and as partof the splice, during installation of the electrical transmission cablesalong a travel path which includes a forced curvature of the cables suchas over sheaves. The splice is conventionally rigid and has oppositeends so as to form a junction at each of the opposite ends of the splicebetween the splice and the corresponding exposed ends of the cables heldin the splice. The device in one aspect includes an elongate, hollow,resilient liner and an elongate sleeve, wherein the liner isadvantageously longer than the sleeve. The sleeve is adapted to besnugly mounted over and along the liner. At least one end of the sleeveis inset along the liner from at least one corresponding end of theliner so long as the sleeve is mounted over at least one junction whenthe liner is mounted over the cable splice so as to position the cablesplice within the hollow cavity of the liner. When the liner and thesleeve are so mounted on the cable splice, the sleeve compresses theliner against the cable splice at the corresponding junction whereby astress concentration at the junction upon a bending of the cablesrelative to the splice during the forced curvature of the cables isdistributed away from the junction.

In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided for protectingan electrical conductor. The apparatus includes: an elongate,cylindrical liner defining a longitudinal through hole and a firstcircumferential groove; a first sleeve that resides within the firstcircumferential groove and around a circumference of the liner; and afirst taper located at a first end of the liner, wherein one end of thefirst taper abuts the first sleeve. The liner may be substantiallycylindrical and include a pair of opposed-facing half-pipes mountable toeach other in opposed-facing relation so as to define the longitudinalthrough hole therethrough. The liner may have a second circumferentialgroove, spaced from the first circumferential groove along the liner. Asecond sleeve resides in the second circumferential groove.

Advantageously, a second taper is located at a second end of the lineropposite the first end so that a base end of the second taper abuts thebody of the liner, and may abut the first sleeve if there is only onesleeve on the liner, or may abut the second sleeve if there are twosleeves on the liner.

In preferred embodiments, the liner is longer than the sleeve, orcumulative length of the sleeves if more than one sleeve is employed.

A cable splice is located within the through hole of the liner. When theliner and the sleeve or sleeves are mounted on the cable splice, thesleeve or sleeves compress the liner against the cable splice.Advantageously, the sleeves are rigid. The through hole is adapted formounting over the cable splice on the electrical conductor. The linermay include at least one separate stiffener part mounted in the liner soas to extend along the liner and over at least opposite ends of theelectrical conductor when the opposite ends of the electrical conductorare mounted in the cable splice and when the liner is mounted on thecable splice. The separate stiffener part may be one or more stiffenerparts chosen from the group which includes: a rod, a plurality of rods,a plurality of rods in radially spaced apart array about a longitudinalaxis of the liner, a split pipe, a half-pipe, a stringer. Each separatestiffener part may be elongate and substantially linear.

A system is provided for protecting a permanent cable splice and theends of a pair of electrical transmission cables held in the spliceduring installation of the electrical transmission cables along a travelpath which includes a forced curvature of the cables. The systemincludes: (a) a rigid cable splice having opposite ends so as to form ajunction at each of the opposite ends of the splice between the spliceand a corresponding exposed end of the cables held in the splice; one ormore liners sized to both snugly mount over at least the opposite endsof the cable splice, over the junctions and over at least a portion ofthe exposed ends of cables where the exposed ends of the cables extendfrom the junctions; and, one or more removable sleeves mountable over atleast a portion of each of the one or more liners and positioned on theone or more liners so as to cover the corresponding junctions. The oneor more sleeves compress their corresponding liners against the cablesplice at a corresponding junction whereby a stress concentration at thecorresponding junction is distributed from the junction upon a bendingof the cables relative to the splice during the forced curvature of thecables.

A method is provided of installing electrical transmission cable usingthe above described device and system of. The method includes:

-   -   a. providing a first cable having a first end and a second end;    -   b. providing a second cable having a first end and a second end;    -   c. installing the first cable by pulling the first cable over        one or more sheaves to the second end of the first cable;    -   d. connecting the second end of the first cable to the first end        of the second cable using a permanent splice;    -   e. affixing the one or more liners over at least a portion of        the permanent cable splice to protect the permanent splice        during the installation in steps (c) and (g);    -   f. assembling the one or more sleeves over at least a portion of        each of the one or more liners to compress the one or more        liners against the permanent splice at a junction of the        permanent splice with the first cable and at a junction of the        permanent splice with the second cable;    -   g. continuing the installation of step (c) by pulling the first        cable, the permanent splice and the second cable over the one or        more sheaves.

As applied to the device, system and/or method:

Advantageously the sleeves are rigid. The sleeves may be a single sleevemounted on a single liner. The liner may have tapered ends at oppositeends thereof. At least one stiffener may be mounted in the liner so asto extend along the length of the liner and over at least the oppositeends of the cable splice when mounted thereon. Advantageously, thestiffeners extend over the junctions. The stiffeners may be chosen fromthe group comprising: a rod, a plurality of rods, a plurality of rods inradially spaced apart array about a longitudinal axis of the liner, asplit pipe, a half-pipe, a stringer.

In one embodiment the one or more liners and the one or more sleeves areadapted to be removable from the cable splice when mounted thereon, andthe method may include the removal of the sleeves and liners after theinstallation of the cables.

The one or more sleeves may be a pair of sleeves mounted spaced apartalong the liner. The one or more liners may be a single liner. At leastone tether may be provided, tethered to each of the pair of sleeves soas to join each sleeve to the other when mounted on the liner. Thetethers may be flexible.

Advantageously the liners each include at least one annular recessformed therein, and in particular formed around an outer surface of theliners, each recess shaped and sized to receive mounted therein the oneor more sleeves. The sleeves may be mounted substantially flush with theouter surface of the liners when the sleeves are mounted in theircorresponding recesses.

In one embodiment each stiffener is elongate and substantially linear.Each stiffener may include a curved end which is curved over acorresponding junction when the liner is mounted over the cable splice.The curved end may extend from the junction so as to lie substantiallyflush onto the cable when the liner and sleeve are mounted onto thecable splice and cables. Each one of the stiffeners may have a curvedend.

In one preferred embodiment, not intended to be limiting, the linerincludes a pair of opposed-facing half-pipes or such other shape so asto be mountable to each other in opposed-facing relation to therebydefine an elongate hollow cavity therethrough.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of one embodiment of a liner and sleevedevice installed on a permanent splice connecting two separate lengthsof cable;

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the liner of FIG. 1, such aswould be seen in cross-section along line 2-2 in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of the liner of FIG. 1, such aswould be seen in cross-section along line 3-3 in FIG. 6E;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the liner and sleeve device ofFIG. 1 illustrated passing over a sheave;

FIG. 5A is a side elevation view of one sleeve of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5B is a plan view of the sleeve of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A a cross-sectional view of the liner of FIG. 2 in a planeorthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the liner;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional diagrammatic view, not to scale, of one ofthe sleeves of FIG. 1 in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis ofthe sleeve;

FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of the liner and sleeve of FIGS. 6Aand 6B respectively with the sleeve mounted on the liner;

FIG. 6D is the view of FIG. 6A showing the liner assembled;

FIG. 6E is the liner of FIG. 6A showing the liner in a partiallyexploded view;

FIG. 7A is a first side elevation view of a further embodiment of asleeve, such as seen mounted on a liner in FIG. 8;

FIG. 7B is a second side elevation view, from a side opposite the firstside elevation view of the sleeve of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C is a plan view of the sleeve of FIGS. 7A and 7B;

FIG. 7D is a cross-sectional view along line 7D-7D in FIG. 7B showing afastener and hinge.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a further embodiment of the liner andsleeve device installed on two spliced-together lengths of cable;

FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the deviceillustrated in FIG. 8, installed on two connected lengths of cable;

FIG. 10 is, in side elevation view, a further embodiment of the linerand sleeve device having a single continuous sleeve encasing a singleliner which extends over the entire length of the permanent cablesplice.

FIG. 11 is, in side elevation view, the liner of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is, in partially exploded cross-sectional view, the liner ofFIG. 11 in cross-section along its length.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 10 along the length of theliner and sleeve device showing the device mounted onto a pair of cableends held within a permanent cable splice.

FIG. 14 is, in side elevation view, the sleeve of FIG. 10.

FIG. 15, is, in plan view, the sleeve of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is, in side elevation view, a further embodiment of the sleeveof FIG. 14 illustrating the use of a hinge along one side of the sleeve.

FIG. 17 is, in plan view, a sleeve of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is, in side elevation view, a further embodiment of the linerand sleeve device mounted on a pair of cable ends held within apermanent cable splice.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view along the length of the liner andsleeve device of FIG. 18 showing the use of rods embedded within theliner.

FIG. 20 is a partially exploded view of the liner of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view along the length of the liner andsleeve device of FIG. 18 illustrating the device mounted on the pair ofcable ends held within a permanent cable splice.

FIG. 22A is a cross-sectional view through the liner of FIG. 18 in aplane laterally cross the length of the liner illustrating the sectionof the liner which snugly mounts onto an exposed end of a cable.

FIG. 22B is a cross-sectional view laterally across a sleeve of FIG. 18.

FIG. 22C is the combined cross-sectional views of FIGS. 22A and 22B.

FIG. 22D is a cross-sectional view laterally across the liner of FIG. 18at a position along the liner where the liner snugly mounts onto thepermanent cable splice.

FIG. 22E is, in partially exploded view, the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 22D.

FIG. 23 is, in side elevation view, yet a further embodiment of theliner and sleeve device mounted onto a pair of cable ends held within apermanent cable splice.

FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view along the length of the liner andsleeve device of FIG. 23 illustrating the use of the split pipe embeddedwithin the liner.

FIG. 25 is, in partially exploded view, the cross-sectional view of FIG.24

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view along the length of the liner andsleeve device of FIG. 23 illustrating the device mounted onto a pair ofcable ends held within a permanent cable splice.

FIG. 27 is, in plan view, the split pipe embedded in the liner of FIG.24

FIG. 28A is a cross sectional view through the liner of FIG. 23 at aposition where the liner mounts onto one of the exposed ends of cable.

FIG. 28B is a cross-sectional view laterally through a sleeve of FIG.23,

FIG. 28C is a combined cross-sectional view of FIGS. 28A and 28B.

FIG. 28D is a cross-sectional view laterally through the liner of FIG.23 at a position where the liner mounts onto the permanent cable splice.

FIG. 28E is, in partially exploded view, the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 28D.

FIG. 29 is, in side elevation view, the liner and sleeve device of FIG.18 illustrating the use of tethers between the pair of sleeves.

FIG. 30 is, in side elevation view, the pair of sleeves and tethers ofFIG. 29.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure provides a liner and sleeve device, a system, anda method of using same to support a permanent cable splice and thecorresponding ends of the electrical transmission cables held within thecable splice in withstanding tension and bending forces when the cablesand permanent cable splice are being pulled into place for installation,thus allowing a permanent splice rather than a temporary splice to beused during installation. The present liner and sleeve device can beused with conventional permanent splices commonly available, therebyavoiding the need for the installation and removal of temporary splices.

The present liner and sleeve device serves to withstand, transfer anddistribute bending loads and stresses that tend to concentrate at thesplice-cable junction at each end of the permanent cable splice duringtension and bending of the cable as it is installed. The present linerand splice device deflects and distributes these stress concentrationsfrom the splice-cable junctions to the sleeve and liner adjacent; thatis, in the area surrounding each of the splice-cable junctions, therebyreducing and helping to prevent damage to either the permanent cablesplice or the cable during installation of the cable.

The present liner and splice device further allows for a permanentsplice to be installed at the tensioning site during the installationprocess, without the need for a temporary splice that later requiresremoval and replacement with a permanent splice. Once the cable isinstalled, the present liner and sleeve device may be removed. Suchremoval is quicker and easier than removing a temporary splice andinstalling a permanent splice.

With reference to the Figures, the present liner and sleeve deviceincludes a generally cylindrically shaped hollow liner 2, which may betwo separate pieces that, when installed, surrounds a permanent cablesplice 18. Splice 18 splices together, and electrically joins, in alinear array the ends of a first cable 8 and a second cable 10. One ormore sleeves 32, 33 are sized so as to compress liner 2 when mountedthereon. Preferably, liner 2 may be made of a semi-rigid, resilientmaterial that may be moulded to form an inner channel 34 of shape andsize so as to snugly fit the cable splice 18 and cables 8, 10 mountedjournaled therein. Liner 2 and the compression of liner 2 provided bythe one or more sleeves 32, 33 serve to receive the stressconcentrations experienced at the junctions between the cable splice 18and each of the cables 8, 10 and distribute these stresses through theliner 2 to protect the mechanical integrity of the splice 18 and cables8, 10, and in particular the junctions therebetween, during installationof the cables into position onto electrical transmission towers, forexample.

The liner 2 may be manufactured from a material that may be bothsemi-rigid and resiliently compressible, such as for example, withoutintending to be limiting in any way: rubber, a flame retardant polymer,or a composite material such as a rubber compound. Liner 2 may exhibitelastic properties so as to restore or return itself to its non-deformedgeometric shape after deployment over a sheave (FIG. 4). Liner 2 mayincorporate separate, flexible reinforcement or strengthening materialsor structures made of, for example, steel, titanium, or fiberglass oraramids or polymers as such structures are described below by way ofexample. It will be understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the artthat various types of materials, including composite materials, may besuitable for the manufacture of the liner 2, wherein such materials maybe semi-rigid or resiliently bendable and compressible. As seen in FIGS.3 and 6E, in one embodiment the liner 2 may be made of two matingsemi-cylindrical pieces resembling half-pipes that are fastened togetherin opposed facing relation along their long edges 16. Such fastening maytake any form well known in the art, including but not limited to theuse of adhesives, separate fasteners such as screws, bolts, or pins, orby mating profiles formed on the long edges 16 of each liner piece thatcooperate with one another to fasten the liner pieces to each other.Such mating profiles can include tongue 24 and groove 25 profiles asillustrated in FIGS. 6A, C, D and E, although it would be wellunderstood by a person of skill in the art that other profiles are alsopossible and encompassed within the scope of the present teaching.

The liner 2 may advantageously, although not necessarily, have one ormore annular grooves or recesses 12 formed on or around an outer surfacethereof. Recesses 12, which may also be a circumferential recess, aresized to accommodate each of the one or more sleeves 32, 33 such that,for example, an outer surface of each sleeve 32, 33 lies substantiallyflush, or flush, with the outer surface of liner 2, so as to be mountedtherein flush with or slightly raised from the outer surface of theliner 2. This not only secures each sleeve on the liner in its desiredposition on or adjacent the junction between cable splice 18 and theexposed ends of the cables 8, 10, but also may inhibit protruding edgesof sleeves 32, 33 from catching on for example a traveller 35, sheavesor reels during stringing of the cables 8, 10 through the traveller,sheaves or reels. Preferably, the liner 2 may have tapers 14 that taperat their distal ends so as to be flush or near flush with the cables 8,10. The ends of the liner 2 are thus less likely to catch on thetraveller 35, sheaves or reels during stringing of the cable.Furthermore, tapers ends 14 facilitate smooth, initial contact with asurface of traveler 35. The base ends of tapers 14, opposite theirdistal ends, abut the corresponding ends of the cylindrical body ofliner 2, and from part thereof to assist in distributing the stressconcentrations throughout the liner 2. This helps the liner 2 to bendmore easily at its ends around the circumference of the cylindricalsurfaces of the traveler 35 and the reels as the cables 8, 10 are pulledunder tension from the reels and through travellers 35 duringinstallation along a travel path which includes such forced curvature.

With reference to FIG. 5A through 7D, in one embodiment the sleeves 32,33 may be made up of two mating half-pipes that, when mounted on splice18 and cables 8, 10, mate together in an opposed-facing, snugcompression fit around the liner 2 to thereby compress the liner 2radially inwardly; that is, radially inwardly relative to thelongitudinal axis A (FIG. 3) of the liner. Sleeves 32, 33 also protectthe junctions 40, 42 between the permanent splice 18 and each of theexposed ends of cables 8, 10. The two half-pipes of each sleeve 32, 33are preferably fastened by means of one or more fasteners 22 that areinserted or threaded through one or more openings 20 in each half-pipeof the sleeve. Other means of joining the sleeve half-pipes are alsocontemplated, such as application of adhesive or machining or otherwiseforming the sleeve components to form cooperatingprotrusions-and-indents for example tongue-and-groove, etc., that willfrictionally or otherwise interfit when brought together. However,fasteners 22 provide the advantage that they may be tightened to providea desired level of compression of the liner 2 onto the splice 18 and thespliced cables 8, 10 within the liner 2. Fasteners 22 may also be easilyremoved after installation. Alternatively, each sleeve 32, 33 mayconsist of two halves that open in a clam-shell arrangement about hinge26, thereby requiring the use of fasteners 22 or other joining meansalong only one side of the sleeve 32 that may be opposite hinge 26 (FIG.7D).

Preferably the sleeves 32, 33 are rigid. For example, without intendingto be limiting, the sleeves 32, 33 may be manufactured from steel,titanium, or composites or other suitably rigid material. Furtherpreferably, the sleeves 32, 33 may be made to a standard length and mayaccommodate standard fasteners 22, such that the sleeves 32, 33 can beused in a multitude of cable connection and installation applications.

In some cases, for example where splice 18 is reinforced, encasement inliner 2, or within a liner 2 and sleeves 32, 33 along the entire lengthof splice 18 may not be required. In such cases, where splice 18 may bereinforced by an insert such as a steel insert (not shown) asillustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 a first liner 28 is mounted over junction40 between splice 18 and an adjacent exposed end of the first cable 8,and a second liner 30 is mounted over the junction 42 between the splice18 and an adjacent exposed end of the second cable 10. In such cases,the two liners 28, 30 are still sized according to the diameters of thepermanent splice 18 and cables 8, 10, so as to mount substantially flushthereon but the length of the liners 28, 30 may be standardized suchthat the liners 28, 30 are adaptable to multiple splicing applications.In such cases, only one sleeve 32, 33 may preferably be required perliner 28, 30 respectively. A single liner and sleeve is thus used foreach junction 40, 42 separately.

In a typical use, a first end of first cable 8 is pulled off of the reeland installed in tension over one or more sheaves. Once the second,opposite, end of the first cable 8 is reached, it is connected bypermanent cable splice 18 to a first end of the second cable 10, whichmay be stored on another reel. Connecting may be done during theinstalling process while the cables are under tension. One or moreliners 2 are assembled over the permanent cable splice 18 and theadjacent exposed ends of the cables 8, 10. The liner 2 may be assembledby mounting the two half-pipe pieces of the liner 2 together along theirlong edges 16. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, one liner 2 isassembled over the permanent cable splice 18 and extends over each ofthe junctions 40, 42. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 9, twoliners 28, 30 may be used, in which case a liner 28, 30 is assembledover each of the corresponding junctions 40, 42. Next, one or moresleeves 32, 33 are installed over the liner 2 or liners 28, 30, as thecase may be, and over the junctions 40, 42, to compress liner 2 orliners 28, 30 and to encase and thereby protect the junctions 40, 42.Installation of the connected cables 8, 10 over one or more sheaves,such as sheaves mounted on electrical transmission towers, is thencontinued under tension. The liner and sleeve pairs protect thepermanent splice and serve to transfer stress concentration from thejunctions 40, 42 and distribute the stress concentrations through theliner 2 or liners 28, 30 and through the sleeves 32, 33 to reduce thecombined effect of shearing, tension and bending forces experienced atthe junctions 40, 42 during installation of the cables 8, 10.

As a second, opposite, end of the second cable 10 is reached, it too maybe connected to a further (i.e. third) cable by a second permanentsplice and the second permanent splice may be encased by assembly ofanother of the present liner and sleeve devices to the second permanentsplice and cable junctions. The process of pulling cable, installingunder tension, splicing and protecting the splice and adjacent exposedends of the cables with the present liner and sleeve device may berepeated until a full installation of the desired length of electricaltransmission cable is complete. Then, optionally, the liner and sleevedevices may be removed from the permanently spliced and installedelectrical transmission cable by removing sleeves 32, 33 and thenremoving the one or more liners 2 or 28, 30 as the case may be.

In a further embodiment such as seen in FIGS. 10-17, a single, longsleeve 32′ extends over a corresponding length of liner 2 from a firstjunction 40 between splice 18 and the exposed end of cable 8 to a secondjunction 42 between splice 18 and the exposed end of cable 10. Sleeve 32and liner 2 further extend to cover at least an adjacent portion of theexposed ends of each of the cables 8, 10, adjacent junctions 40, 42.Thus sleeves 32, 33 (FIG. 8) may be replaced by a single sleeve 32′ soas to encase splice 18 and the corresponding length of liner 2, again,with the ends of liner 2 and sleeve 32′ extending beyond junctions 40,42 so that stress concentrations due to a bending applied to the cablesand splice at those junctions are relieved by liner 2 and sleeve 32′.The sleeve 32′ may be removably secured onto liner 2 by the same meansdescribed above in relation to sleeves 32, 33. Thus for example, sleeve32′ may comprise two, separate, non-connected, opposing-facinghalf-pipes and fasteners 22 may be employed in fastener openings 20.Alternatively, sleeve 32′ may include a hinge or hinges 26 to providefor clamshell opening of the sleeve around liner 2. Liner 2 may beshaped to flush mount sleeve 32′ flush along the length of the liner soas to mate sleeve 32′ in an extended annular recess 12′. Again, tapers14 may advantageously be provided on opposite ends of liner 2 for easeof contacting and passing the liner and sleeve device over for example atraveller 35.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 18-21, and FIGS. 22A-22E, liner 2 isreinforced with stiffeners such as reinforcing rods 44. One or morereinforcing rods 44 may be employed, preferably embedded within liner 2.As illustrated, a plurality, shown as six, rods 44 may be embedded inliner 2 so as to extend along the length of liner 2 in radially spacedapart array about and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis Aof liner 2 (FIG. 19). Rods 44 are preferably semi-rigid or may beresilient or elastic to a predetermined value so as to assist inresisting or assist in withstanding the bending moment applied to liner2 and the corresponding sleeve or sleeves at junctions 40, 42 whensplice 18, which is encased in a liner and sleeve or sleeves, passesover (e.g. completely over and past) for example traveller 35. Rods 44may be linear, at least for example over the length of splice 18, andmay advantageously also include curved ends such as flush-mountingcurved ends 44 a which extend so as to mount down flush onto the outersurface of the adjacent ends of cables 8, 10. Thus as seen in the sideelevation cross-sectional view of FIG. 21, rods 44 may be mounted almostflush along the exterior surface of splice 18, and curved ends 44 a maycurve over the ends of splice 18 at junctions 40, 42 and extend so as tolie flush along the adjacent exposed ends 8 a, 10 a of conductor cables8, 10 respectively. The ends of rods 44 may, as illustrated in at leastFIGS. 19-21, extend beyond the ends of the sleeve or sleeves so as toextend under at least a portion of tapered ends 14 of liner 2.

The embodiments of FIGS. 22A-22E, although diagrammatically illustrated,show how the dimensions of the liner 2 and sleeve 32′ or sleeves 32, 33may be varied so that, as shown, the sleeves and liners may berelatively thick-walled. In the embodiment of FIGS. 18-21 the sleevesand liner are relatively thin-walled as compared to the diameter of thecables and splice. If the sleeve or sleeves and liner are thick-walled,better protection from shearing and stress loading upon bending ispotentially obtained at the junctions 40, 42 as compared to thin-walledsleeves and liner, given the same material for the sleeves and liner.However the thick-walled sleeves and liner may have more difficultypassing over for example a traveller 35. An optimized balance of wallthickness and protection from shearing and bending stresses is preferredthat will distribute the stress loading at the junctions 40, 42 duringbending so as to reduce stress concentrations and still allow passagethrough traveller 35 or through other forced curvature travel pathswhile stringing the conductor.

FIGS. 23-27 and FIGS. 28A-28E illustrate a further embodiment where,instead of rods 44, a segment or segments of split pipe 46 (e.g.completely separate, non-connected sections) are employed to reinforceliner 2 and distribute the stress concentrations around junctions 40, 42into liner 2. Thus, as with rods 44, the ends of split pipe 46 extendcantilevered along liner 2 from the ends of splice 18 at junctions 40,42. Split pipe 46 may include a generally cylindrical, semi-rigid, orresilient, pipe which is split or otherwise formed into separate halvesalong its length. Each half is mounted into a corresponding half-pipe ofliner 2 so that the halves of both the split pipe 46 and liner 2 may bemounted flush against one another in opposed facing relation as shown byway of example in FIGS. 28A and 28E. Thus, as with the use of rods 44,as seen in FIG. 26 split pipe 46 may be mounted in liner 2 so as toextend along, substantially flush against the exterior surface of splice18 and then contiguously extend as flush-mounting ends 46 a away fromjunctions 40, 42 substantially flush along the corresponding adjacentexposed ends 8 a, 10 a of conductor cables 8, 10. The distal ends offlush-mounting ends 46 a, distal from splice 18, may extend into tapers14. As with the use of rods 44, the use of split pipe 46 is not limitedto the illustrated embodiment where a plurality of sleeves, for examplesleeves 32, 33, are employed, but may also be used in the embodiment ofFIG. 10 where only one sleeve 32′ is employed. Further, as seendiagrammatically in FIGS. 28A-28E, the sleeve or sleeves and liner maybe relatively thick-walled and split pipe 46 may for example generallybi-sect the radial thickness of liner 2, measured in a direction radialfrom longitudinal axis A. Bi-secting of the thickness of liner 2 maythus form an inner half-pipe 2 a and an adjacent outer half-pipe 2 b.

As will be understood, the description of rods 44 and split-pipe 46 areintended to merely be non-limiting examples of strengthening stiffenersor stringers or the like that may be embedded in liner 2 that serve todistribute stress loading at the ends of splice 18 upon forced curvatureof the cable ends and permanent splice as when passing the splicethrough a traveller 35 for example. Similar to using rods 44, the use ofsplit-pipe 46 may provide resistance to bending and provide a restoringforce to liner 2 when liner 2 is subjected to a bending moment bytraveller 35. It is also intended to be within the scope of the presentinvention to use multiple liners 2, for example nested or separate, orany combination thereof, instead of a single liner 2 to protect a singlepermanent splice 18. Further, although described herein as being bothremovable and intended to be removed upon completion of the conductorstringing operation, it may be that it is impractical to immediately orever remove the sleeves and liners from the splices. As is common withelectrical transmission lines, such as with high-voltage electricaltransmission lines, the span of the strung electrical conductors can beover relatively great distances and thus the locations of the splicesmay be in locations which are very difficult or otherwise very expensiveor dangerous to physically reach, or virtually impossible for a linemanto physically access to remove the sleeves and liners. Thus it isintended to be within the scope of the present invention that the sleeveand liner arrangements described herein may be installed withoutnecessarily being easily removable from the splice, and thus morepermanent means for holding the encasing of the sleeves and liners aboutthe splices may be employed.

As seen in FIGS. 29 and 30, in embodiments employing multiple sleeves,such as the pair of sleeves 32, 33, tethers 48 may be mounted across aspan 2 a of liner 2 extending between the sleeves. Tethers 48 may belengths of flexible wire for example which are riveted or otherwisefastened at their ends to the pair of sleeves on either end of span 2 a.Tethers 48 serve to hold in place the sleeves and corresponding sectionsof liner 2 sandwiched between the sleeves and splice 18. Thus forexample in the event that liner 2 fails in tension along itslongitudinal axis A, for example span 2 a splits while being pulledaround a forced curvature in the conductor stringing travel path,tethers 48 will hold the sleeves and liner in place.

This detailed description of the present devices and methods is used toillustrate certain embodiments of the present teaching. It will beapparent to a person skilled in the art that various modifications canbe made and various alternate embodiments may be utilized withoutdeparting from the scope of the present application, which is limitedonly by the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A device for protecting a permanent cablesplice and the ends of a pair of electrical transmission cables held inthe splice during installation of the electrical transmission cablesalong a travel path which includes a forced curvature of the cables, andwherein the splice is rigid and has opposite ends so as to form ajunction at each of the opposite ends of the splice between the spliceand the corresponding exposed ends of the cables, the device comprisingan elongate, hollow, resilient liner and an elongate sleeve, wherein theliner is longer than the sleeve, and the sleeve is adapted to be snuglymounted over and along the liner, inset along the liner from at leastone end of the liner and over at least one junction when the liner ismounted over a cable splice so as to position the cable splice within ahollow cavity in said liner, wherein, when the liner and the sleeve areso mounted on the cable splice, the sleeve compresses the liner againstthe cable splice at the corresponding junction whereby a stressconcentration at the junction upon a bending of the cables relative tothe splice during the forced curvature of the cables is distributed awayfrom the junction.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said one or moresleeves are rigid.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said one or moresleeves is a single sleeve.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein said linerhas tapered ends at opposite ends thereof.
 5. The device of claim 4further comprising at least one stiffener mounted in said liner so as toextend along said liner and over at least said opposite ends of saidcable splice when mounted thereon.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein saidat least one stiffener extends over said junctions.
 7. The device ofclaim 5 wherein said at least one stiffener is chosen from the groupcomprising: a rod, a plurality of rods, a plurality of rods in radiallyspaced apart array about a longitudinal axis of said liner, a splitpipe, a half-pipe, a stringer.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein said oneor more liners and said one or more sleeves are adapted to be removablefrom the cable splice when mounted thereon.
 9. The device of claim 1wherein said one or more sleeves are a pair of sleeves mounted spacedapart along said liner.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein said one ormore liners is a single liner.
 11. The device of claim 10 furthercomprising at least one tether tethered to each of said pair of sleevesso as to join by said at least one tether each sleeve to the other ofsaid pair of sleeves when mounted on said liner.
 12. The device of claim11 wherein said at least one tether is flexible.
 13. The device of claim1 wherein said one or more liners each include at least one annularrecess formed therein shaped and sized to receive mounted therein saidone or more sleeves.
 14. The device of claim 13 wherein said sleeves aremounted substantially flush with an outer surface of said liner whenmounted in corresponding said recesses.
 15. The device of claim 7wherein each said at least one stiffener is elongate and substantiallylinear.
 16. The device of claim 15 wherein at least one end of said atleast one stiffener includes a curved end curved over said junction. 17.The device of claim 16 wherein said curved end extends from saidjunction so as to lie substantially flush onto the cable when said atleast one liner and sleeve are mounted onto the cable splice and cables.18. The device of claim 17 wherein each one of said at least onestiffener has said curved end.
 19. The device of claim 8 wherein saidliner includes a pair of opposed-facing half-pipes mountable to eachother in opposed-facing relation so as to define an elongate hollowcavity therethrough when so mounted.
 20. An apparatus for protecting anelectrical conductor having a permanent cable splice, the apparatuscomprising: an elongate resilient liner defining a longitudinal throughhole and a first circumferential groove; a first sleeve that resideswithin said first circumferential groove and around a circumference ofsaid liner; and a first taper located at a first end of said liner,wherein said first taper has a base end which abuts said first sleeve.21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said liner is substantiallycylindrical.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said liner is a pairof opposed-facing half-pipes mountable to each other in opposed-facingrelation so as to define said longitudinal through hole when so mounted.23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said liner has a secondcircumferential groove, spaced from said first circumferential groovealong said liner, and further comprises a second sleeve, and whereinsaid second sleeve resides in said second circumferential groove. 24.The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a second taper located ata second end of said liner opposite said first end, wherein a base endof said second taper abuts said first sleeve.
 25. The apparatus of claim23, further comprising a second taper located at a second end of saidliner opposite said first end, wherein a base end of said second taperabuts said second sleeve so that said first and second tapers areoppositely disposed.
 26. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said lineris longer than said first sleeve.
 27. The apparatus of claim 23, whereinsaid liner is a pair of liners and wherein each liner of said pair ofliners is longer than any one of said first sleeve or said secondsleeve.
 28. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said liner is longer thancombined lengths of said first and second sleeves.
 29. The apparatus ofclaim 24, wherein said sleeve is mounted over and along said liner so asto contact said liner and said base ends of said first and secondtapers.
 30. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said cable splice islocated within said through hole of said liner, wherein when said linerand said sleeve are mounted on said cable splice, said sleeve compressessaid liner against said cable splice.
 31. The apparatus of claim 23,wherein said first sleeve, and said second sleeve are rigid.
 32. Theapparatus of claim 20, wherein said through hole is adapted for mountingover said cable splice on the electrical conductor, said liner furthercomprising at least one separate stiffener part mounted in said liner soas to extend along said liner and over at least opposite ends of theelectrical conductor when the opposite ends of the electrical conductorare mounted in said cable splice and when said liner is mounted on thecable splice.
 33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said at least oneseparate stiffener part is chosen from said group comprising: a rod, aplurality of rods, a plurality of rods in radially spaced apart arrayabout a longitudinal axis of said liner, a split pipe, a half-pipe, astringer.
 34. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein each said at least oneseparate stiffener part is elongate and substantially linear.
 35. Asystem for protecting a permanent cable splice and the ends of a pair ofelectrical transmission cables held in the splice during installation ofthe electrical transmission cables along a travel path which includes aforced curvature of the cables, the system comprising a rigid cablesplice having opposite ends so as to form a junction at each of theopposite ends of the splice between the splice and a correspondingexposed end of the cables held in the splice, one or more resilientliners sized to both snugly mount over at least the opposite ends of thecable splice and over the junctions and over at least a portion of theexposed ends of cables where the exposed ends of the cables extend fromthe junctions, and one or more removable sleeves mountable over at leasta portion of each of the one or more liners and positioned on the one ormore liners so as to cover the corresponding junctions, wherein the oneor more sleeves compress their corresponding liners against the cablesplice at a corresponding junction whereby a stress concentration at thecorresponding junction is distributed from the junction upon a bendingof the cables relative to the splice during the forced curvature of thecables.
 36. The system of claim 35 wherein said one or more sleeves arerigid.
 37. The system of claim 36 wherein said one or more sleeves is asingle sleeve.
 38. The system of claim 35 wherein said liner has taperedends at opposite ends thereof.
 39. The system of claim 38 furthercomprising at least one stiffener mounted in said liner so as to extendalong said liner and over at least said opposite ends of said cablesplice when mounted thereon.
 40. The system of claim 39 wherein said atleast one stiffener extends over said junctions.
 41. The system of claim39 wherein said at least one stiffener is chosen from the groupcomprising: a rod, a plurality of rods, a plurality of rods in radiallyspaced apart array about a longitudinal axis of said liner, a splitpipe, a half-pipe, a stringer.
 42. The system of claim 35 wherein saidone or more liners and said one or more sleeves are adapted to beremovable from the cable splice when mounted thereon.
 43. The system ofclaim 35 wherein said one or more sleeves are a pair of sleeves mountedspaced apart along said liner.
 44. The system of claim 43 wherein saidone or more liners is a single liner.
 45. The system of claim 35 furthercomprising at least one tether tethered to each of said pair of sleevesso as to join by said at least one tether each sleeve to the other ofsaid pair of sleeves when mounted on said liner.
 46. The system of claim45 wherein said at least one tether is flexible.
 47. The system of claim35 wherein said one or more liners each include at least one annularrecess formed therein shaped and sized to receive mounted therein saidone or more sleeves.
 48. The system of claim 47 wherein said sleeves aremounted substantially flush with an outer surface of said liner whenmounted in corresponding said recesses.
 49. The system of claim 41wherein each said at least one stiffener is elongate and substantiallylinear.
 50. The system of claim 49 wherein at least one end of said atleast one stiffener includes a curved end curved over said junction. 51.The system of claim 50 wherein said curved end extends from saidjunction so as to lie substantially flush onto the cable when said atleast one liner and sleeve are mounted onto the cable splice and cables.52. The system of claim 51 wherein each one of said at least onestiffener has said curved end.
 53. The system of claim 42 wherein saidliner includes a pair of opposed-facing half-pipes mountable to eachother in opposed-facing relation so as to define an elongate hollowcavity therethrough when so mounted.